Luftstreitkraefte

The Luftstreitkraefte was the air arm of the Imperial German Army from 1910 to 8 May 1920. The air service was organized in October 1916 during World War I, and it became an integral part of the German military, having a strength of 4,500 aircrew, 186 balloon detachments, 56 airships, and 2,709 front line aircraft in 1918. The fighters received the most attention in the annals of history, with aces such as Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Lothar von Richthofen, Hermann Goering, Werner Voss, Oswald Boelcke, and Max Immelmann distinguishing themselves during the war. The air service suffered 8,604 KIA/MIA/POW, 7,302 WIA, and 3,126 aircraft, 546 balloons, and 26 airships were lost. After the Treaty of Versailles, the German air force was dissolved, and all of its planes had been destroyed by 8 May 1920.